My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring

cake is so

knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

sing the

must close her eyes and make a

must blow out

to Julian that there was no need

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out

she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to

to say thank you!” their

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

as well pretend it never existed

up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

she turned and headed toward

was inside her apartment and

propped open by a large hand from

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

he out on business? she

the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along fine

steps back. Why are

he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

her, forcing her back

idea what she

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and